For Tim

[SEC=UGA]

G.M.’s Do-It-Yourself Corvette Engine

By PAUL STENQUIST

 

Many of us did it back in the day. Some of us did it more than once and have the scarred knuckles to prove it.

Rich McBride, a engine builder at the General Motors Performance Build Center, is one of a team of technicians who will supervise customers in the assembly of their own engines — as an option when purchasing a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 or ZR1. In addition to building their own engines.John F. Martin for Chevrolet Rich McBride, an engine builder at the General Motors Performance Build Center.

 

Now, those who missed out on the fun of building a power plant have a chance to make good — providing, of course, that their pockets are sufficiently deep. For an extra $5,800, buyers of a Corvette Z06 or ZR1 can assemble their car’s engine.

 

There was a time when building your own engine was essential to earning your stripes as a car enthusiast. But unless you were a true expert, you could end up with a few leftover parts, adding significantly to the pain of those banged-up knuckles. Corvette buyers who opt for the new build-your-own option won’t have to worry about leaving a part out, because a General Motors technician will supervise the procedure at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich.

 

Travel to Michigan will be at the customer’s expense, but a G.M. concierge will help coordinate arrangements and local transportation.

 

“Corvette owners are some of the most passionate — and most involved — enthusiasts in the industry,” Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet marketing in the United States, said on Monday. “The Corvette engine build experience offers customers an unprecedented opportunity to participate, hands on, in creating the car.”

 

This unusual level of customer involvement is possible because both the Z06’s 7-liter engine and the ZR1’s 6.2-liter supercharged engine are assembled by hand.

 

The personalized engines will be installed in the customer’s car at the Corvette assembly plant and come with an owner nameplate. So while build-your-own Corvette owners won’t experience the joy of working in a frigid garage under a single light bulb in the dead of winter, they will eventually get to hear the engine they assembled fire up. For many gearheads, that’s a thrill not easily matched.

 

Those who are afraid that they might make a mistake even when working with the supervising engine guru can rest assured: The build-your-own engines are covered by Chevrolet’s five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty.

[Savage Beatings]

This is a really cool idea.

[T-Scorp]

So I do the work and they charge me an extra $5,800??? Sounds like someone needs to talk to a Union rep....

[TimC]

As complicated as it is now, I'll leave it to the experts. I would love to drop that engine down in mine, for sure.

 

If I were to ever buy a new one (fat chance!), I would take museum delivery. If you've never been to Bowling Green, KY...it's an awesome place. The Corvette Museum is just a few exits down from the GM plant where they build 'em.

[Kid Cid]

As complicated as it is now, I'll leave it to the experts. I would love to drop that engine down in mine, for sure.

 

If I were to ever buy a new one (fat chance!), I would take museum delivery. If you've never been to Bowling Green, KY...it's an awesome place. The Corvette Museum is just a few exits down from the GM plant where they build 'em.

I still kick myself that I didn't pay the extra $500 for museum delivery.